BEER enthusiasts are set to embark on a mammoth pub crawl to try to declare York the real-ale capital of Britain.

An army of volunteers is being recruited to take part in York’s first “beer census” to discover the full range available in the city.

Between them, the foot-soldiers will visit every pub in the City of York area on June 30, and log every beer available. Drinking is optional, but organisers say volunteers will be urged to act responsibly.

York’s branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) and The Press’s pub columnist Gavin Aitchison are organising the event, and hope to beat the figures of 176 different real ales recorded in Derby and 257 in Sheffield, both of which have claimed the crown.

Lucy Buykx, one of the organisers, said: “York has a buzzing beer scene, with great pubs and a growing range of really good beer.

“That doesn’t come easy – it’s down in the main to the hard work and enthusiasm of our city’s landlords and pub managers.

“In doing a beer census we can celebrate their hard work and gather data that shows how they contribute to this fine city. And we can enjoy a few beers along the way.”

Gavin, who writes the weekly Pints of View column in The Press, said: “Everyone knows York has a brilliant beer scene, with great pubs and a fantastic beer range, so it would be only fitting if we could take the crown and declare York the ale capital of Britain as well.”

Coun Keith Hyman, who will be York’s Lord Mayor by the time of the event, hopes to join the participants, and said that having visited a few of the hostelries over the past 40 years or so, he was confident York would show that Derby and Sheffield “were merely second division when it came to offering beer drinkers what they want”.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of tourism body Visit York, said other countries envied Britain’s beer culture.

She said: “We have something very special here in York and we wish the army of volunteers the best of luck in discovering just how many brews are native to our city and region.”

Visit York is helping to sponsor a buffet for volunteers. Anyone interested in helping should email beercensus@yorkcamra.org.uk